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Economy of Costa Rica vs Namibia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Costa Rica has a GDP of $95.4B compared to $13.4B for Namibia, ranking 73/197 and 147/197 by economy size, respectively.

Costa Rica has $57B in government debt (59.8% of GDP), compared to $9.05B (67.7% of GDP) in Namibia.

Costa Rica vs Namibia GDP by year

Costa Rica
Namibia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Costa Rica Namibia
2024 $95,350,423,177 $13,372,354,512
2023 $86,497,941,439 $12,408,271,449
2022 $69,243,626,029 $12,569,449,123
2021 $64,960,725,734 $12,402,486,184
2020 $62,395,610,760 $10,583,748,542
2019 $64,417,670,521 $12,541,928,303
2018 $62,420,164,992 $13,682,019,076
2017 $60,516,044,657 $12,895,153,371
2016 $58,847,019,610 $10,722,018,732
2015 $56,441,920,821 $11,335,161,084
2014 $52,016,408,854 $12,435,430,970
2013 $50,949,668,842 $12,043,307,277
2012 $47,231,655,432 $13,042,053,592
2011 $42,762,613,699 $12,523,359,441
2010 $37,658,616,952 $11,431,412,421
2009 $30,745,714,313 $8,938,847,189
2008 $30,801,745,700 $8,607,431,497
2007 $26,884,700,709 $8,839,536,476
2006 $22,715,540,324 $8,001,779,551
2005 $20,040,642,477 $7,248,374,838
2004 $18,610,594,846 $6,609,205,995
2003 $17,271,760,507 $4,926,439,384
2002 $16,578,820,687 $3,349,169,826
2001 $15,976,174,337 $3,557,341,215
2000 $15,013,629,662 $3,922,232,165
1999 $14,254,866,285 $3,868,551,730
1998 $13,684,255,947 $3,873,109,866
1997 $12,614,602,382 $4,154,989,950
1996 $11,678,424,507 $3,989,163,197
1995 $11,578,594,260 $3,978,514,206
1994 $10,489,903,725 $3,666,503,530
1993 $9,564,815,975 $3,251,188,833
1992 $8,579,754,758 $3,429,521,699
1991 $7,215,725,487 $2,996,869,281
1990 $5,711,687,787 $2,789,921,854
1989 $5,251,025,767 $2,535,135,798
1988 $4,614,629,898 $2,495,094,746
1987 $4,532,952,047 $2,300,068,217
1986 $4,418,983,871 $1,809,048,527
1985 $3,919,203,960 $1,608,237,350
1984 $3,660,477,856 $1,951,260,038
1983 $3,146,772,631 $2,297,400,688
1982 $2,606,623,555 $2,118,710,248
1981 $2,623,803,096 $2,249,908,578
1980 $4,831,447,001 $2,421,990,338
1979 $4,035,519,323 -
1978 $3,523,208,810 -
1977 $3,072,427,013 -
1976 $2,412,555,426 -
1975 $1,960,863,466 -
1974 $1,666,544,754 -
1973 $1,528,925,846 -
1972 $1,238,251,696 -
1971 $1,077,147,538 -
1970 $984,830,158 -
1969 $853,630,204 -
1968 $773,841,494 -
1967 $699,456,619 -
1966 $647,305,630 -
1965 $592,981,162 -
1964 $542,578,367 -
1963 $511,902,137 -
1962 $479,180,824 -
1961 $490,325,182 -
1960 $507,513,830 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/costa-rica/namibia | CC BY

GDP per capita in Costa Rica vs Namibia by year

Costa Rica
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Namibia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Costa Rica Namibia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $18,587 $31,107 $4,413 $11,687
2023 $16,942 $28,909 $4,188 $11,251
2022 $13,626 $26,226 $4,350 $10,663
2021 $12,838 $23,853 $4,413 $9,709
2020 $12,394 $22,100 $3,879 $9,354
2019 $12,885 $23,340 $4,732 $9,609
2018 $12,590 $21,498 $5,309 $9,854
2017 $12,317 $20,499 $5,144 $9,888
2016 $12,091 $19,202 $4,396 $10,200
2015 $11,715 $17,525 $4,774 $10,466
2014 $10,911 $16,394 $5,378 $10,365
2013 $10,803 $15,232 $5,347 $9,699
2012 $10,127 $14,464 $5,943 $9,364
2011 $9,276 $13,614 $5,835 $9,002
2010 $8,266 $12,928 $5,418 $8,538
2009 $6,833 $12,274 $4,303 $8,079
2008 $6,937 $12,472 $4,205 $8,125
2007 $6,138 $11,842 $4,379 $7,875
2006 $5,257 $10,800 $4,017 $7,374
2005 $4,703 $9,899 $3,686 $6,767
2004 $4,431 $9,365 $3,403 $6,480
2003 $4,173 $8,863 $2,569 $5,693
2002 $4,068 $8,461 $1,772 $5,433
2001 $3,985 $8,190 $1,916 $5,196
2000 $3,813 $7,879 $2,157 $5,129
1999 $3,691 $7,563 $2,178 $4,961
1998 $3,617 $7,306 $2,235 $4,852
1997 $3,408 $6,890 $2,460 $4,764
1996 $3,227 $6,568 $2,423 $4,612
1995 $3,275 $6,515 $2,483 $4,509
1994 $3,040 $6,276 $2,356 $4,376
1993 $2,840 $6,025 $2,155 $4,345
1992 $2,612 $5,635 $2,347 $4,452
1991 $2,253 $5,175 $2,117 $4,192
1990 $1,830 $5,021 $2,037 $3,875
1989 $1,725 - $1,967 -
1988 $1,555 - $2,063 -
1987 $1,567 - $1,969 -
1986 $1,569 - $1,599 -
1985 $1,429 - $1,466 -
1984 $1,372 - $1,830 -
1983 $1,213 - $2,214 -
1982 $1,032 - $2,097 -
1981 $1,068 - $2,267 -
1980 $2,021 - $2,468 -
1979 $1,735 - - -
1978 $1,556 - - -
1977 $1,393 - - -
1976 $1,123 - - -
1975 $937 - - -
1974 $817 - - -
1973 $769 - - -
1972 $639 - - -
1971 $570 - - -
1970 $536 - - -
1969 $477 - - -
1968 $445 - - -
1967 $414 - - -
1966 $395 - - -
1965 $374 - - -
1964 $354 - - -
1963 $346 - - -
1962 $335 - - -
1961 $356 - - -
1960 $382 - - -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/costa-rica/namibia | CC BY

Costa Rica's GDP per capita is $18,587, ranking 62/197, compared to $4,413 in Namibia, ranking 126/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Costa Rica ranks 72nd at $31,107, while Namibia ranks 128th at $11,687.

Economic indicators

Costa Rica Namibia
Gross domestic product
$95.4B
2024
$13.4B
2024
GDP rank
73/197
2024
147/197
2024
GDP growth
4.32%
2023-2024
3.71%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$18,587
2024
$4,413
2024
GDP per capita rank
62/197
2024
126/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$31,107
2024
$11,687
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
72/197
2024
128/197
2024
Government debt
$57B
2024
$9.05B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
59.8%
2024
67.7%
2024
Government debt per person
$11,106
2024
$2,988
2024
Government debt per person rank
50/185
2024
100/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$12,150
2026
$6,197
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.23B
2022
$2.48B
2024
Income share by richest 10%
34.2%
2024
47.2%
2015
Income share by poorest 10%
1.7%
2024
1%
2015
Government expenditure, % of GDP
18.9%
2024
39.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
-0.41%
2023-2024
4.2%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
3.5%
2025
6.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
6.94%
2024
19.9%
2018
Population
5181862
3173089

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Costa Rica
Spending

Debt
Namibia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Costa Rica Namibia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 18.9% 59.8% 39.9% 67.7%
2023 18.5% 61.1% 37% 67.2%
2022 19.2% 63% 36.6% 69.4%
2021 20.8% 67.6% 39.3% 69.6%
2020 22.3% 66.9% 41.5% 64.3%
2019 21.7% 56.4% 37.4% 57.6%
2018 18.9% 51.8% 36.3% 48.7%
2017 19.2% 47.1% 38.1% 43.8%
2016 18.8% 44.1% 41.8% 45.8%
2015 18.8% 39.8% 43.7% 42.1%
2014 18.4% 37.4% 41.8% 27.6%
2013 18.5% 35.1% 38.3% 26.1%
2012 17.3% 33.7% 35% 24.6%
2011 17.2% 29.5% 38.5% 27.4%
2010 18% 28.1% 33.5% 16.3%
2009 16.7% 26% 32% 15.9%
2008 15.2% 24% 28.4% 19.1%
2007 14.6% 27% 26.1% 19.4%
2006 15.2% 33% 27.4% 26.1%
2005 15.9% 37.3% 27.7% 26.9%
2004 17% 41% 28.4% 29.2%
2003 17.6% 40.6% 31.1% 27.1%
2002 18.6% 41.4% 29.8% 22.2%
2001 17.3% 39.6% 30.7% 24.4%
2000 16.9% 38.9% 30.1% 20.9%
1999 16.7% 39% 31.8% 21.8%
1998 16% 40.7% 31.3% 19.6%
1997 16.3% 30.6% 30.9% 17.7%
1996 17.3% 33.7% 30.4% 18.7%
1995 16.4% 29.1% 29.6% 18%
1994 17.4% 27% 28.7% 16.4%
1993 13.8% 24.4% 32.4% 17.2%
1992 13.7% 23.3% 32.8% 14.1%
1991 14% 28.4% 33% 11.8%
1990 18.9% 18.5% 30.2% 12.9%
1989 26.1% 19.3% - -
1988 24.5% 18.2% - -
1987 27.2% 21.2% - -
1986 26.4% 26.1% - -
1985 21.8% 22.8% - -
1984 22.8% 25.2% - -
1983 23.6% 29.8% - -
1982 18.4% 31.8% - -
1981 21% 32.3% - -
1980 25% 37.7% - -
1979 24.9% 39.5% - -
1978 23.2% 41.7% - -
1977 19.3% 27.8% - -
1976 20.1% 29.5% - -
1975 19.1% 26.1% - -
1974 18.3% 30.3% - -
1973 18.4% 32.8% - -
1972 17.2% 31.8% - -
1971 17.5% 30.4% - -
1970 14.9% 28.6% - -
1969 14.5% 26.1% - -
1968 13.8% 27.7% - -
1967 14.7% 26.7% - -
1966 14.3% 24.8% - -
1965 13.8% 24.1% - -
1964 13.5% 22.7% - -
1963 13.3% 21.8% - -
1962 14% 19.7% - -
1961 13.2% 20.3% - -
1960 12.5% 16.1% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1995, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/costa-rica/namibia | CC BY

In 2024, Costa Rica's government spending was $18B, accounting for 18.9% of its GDP, while Namibia spent $5.34B, or 39.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 59.8% in Costa Rica and 67.7% in Namibia, ranking 79/185 and 61/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Costa Rica

Namibia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Costa Rica Namibia
2024 -3.78% -3.59%
2023 -3.25% -3.14%
2022 -2.81% -6.33%
2021 -5.09% -8.68%
2020 -8.38% -8.07%
2019 -6.68% -5.49%
2018 -5.66% -5.09%
2017 -5.88% -4.99%
2016 -5.09% -9.3%
2015 -5.52% -8.3%
2014 -5.45% -6.44%
2013 -5.25% -4.69%
2012 -4.22% -3.1%
2011 -3.91% -7.09%
2010 -4.96% -4.98%
2009 -3.25% -0.4%
2008 0.18% 3.48%
2007 0.56% 6.01%
2006 -1.04% 3.41%
2005 -2.09% -0.31%
2004 -3.42% -2.67%
2003 -3.43% -4.47%
2002 -4.99% -1.38%
2001 -3.47% -2.01%
2000 -3.68% -0.79%
1999 -2.88% -1.88%
1998 -2.96% -2.76%
1997 -3.39% -2.38%
1996 -4.32% -3.7%
1995 -3.68% -1.74%
1994 -5.46% -0.57%
1993 -1.52% -2.73%
1992 -1.51% -2.55%
1991 -2.41% -1.59%
1990 -4.4% 1.08%
1989 -1.55% -
1988 0.57% -
1987 -2.57% -
1986 -4.26% -
1985 -1.06% -
1984 -0.5% -
1983 -1.84% -
1982 -0.94% -
1981 -3.14% -
1980 -7.24% -
1979 -6.6% -
1978 -4.12% -
1977 -2.63% -
1976 -2.42% -
1975 -1.13% -
1974 0.26% -
1973 -2.41% -
1972 -4.54% -
1971 -4.72% -
1970 -1.41% -
1969 -1.61% -
1968 -1.72% -
1967 -3.03% -
1966 -2.12% -
1965 -1.71% -
1964 -1.51% -
1963 -2.01% -
1962 -1.99% -
1961 -0.71% -
1960 -0.19% -
1959 0.49% -
1958 0% -
1957 0.3% -
1956 0.05% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1956–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/costa-rica/namibia | CC BY

In 2024, Costa Rica's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $3.61B, equivalent to 3.78% of GDP. This compares to Namibia's deficit of $480M, or 3.59% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Costa Rica recorded a fiscal deficit in 33 of those years, while Namibia ran a deficit in 31 years. On average, Costa Rica posted an annual deficit equal to 3.8% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.06% of GDP for Namibia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Costa Rica

Namibia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Costa Rica Namibia
2024 -0.41% 4.2%
2023 0.53% 5.9%
2022 8.27% 6.1%
2021 1.73% 3.6%
2020 0.72% 2.2%
2019 2.1% 3.7%
2018 2.22% 4.3%
2017 1.63% 6.1%
2016 -0.02% 6.7%
2015 0.8% 3.4%
2014 4.52% 5.3%
2013 5.23% 5.6%
2012 4.5% 6.7%
2011 4.88% 5%
2010 5.66% 4.9%
2009 7.84% 9.5%
2008 13.4% 9.1%
2007 9.36% 6.5%
2006 11.5% 5%
2005 13.8% 2.3%
2004 12.3% 4.1%
2003 9.45% 7.2%
2002 9.17% 12.7%
2001 11.3% 10.2%
2000 11% 10.2%
1999 10% 9.4%
1998 11.7% 6.6%
1997 13.2% 9.7%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/costa-rica/namibia | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Costa Rica has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.66%, compared with 6.29% in Namibia. In 2024, inflation was -0.41% in Costa Rica and 4.2% in Namibia.

Balance of trade

Costa Rica Namibia
Current account balance
-$1.25B
2024
-$1.89M
2024
Current account balance ranking
129/190
2024
78/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.31%
2024
-0.01%
2024
Goods imports
$23.1B
2024
$6.77B
2024
Goods exports
$20.6B
2024
$4.67B
2024
Service imports
$7.58B
2024
$2.47B
2024
Service exports
$16.3B
2024
$1.29B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
32.8%
2024
68%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
38.5%
2024
41.6%
2024

Economic freedom indices

The indices of economic freedom below are issued by the Heritage Foundation. Higher scores indicate stronger economic health.

Costa Rica Namibia
Economic freedom 69.1 60.2
Economic freedom ranking 43/197 95/197
Property rights 66 63.1
Government integrity 64.1 51.5
Judicial effectiveness 76.9 67.2
Tax burden 78.6 66.4
Government spending 89.3 57.1
Fiscal health 75.6 60.5
Business freedom 79.9 58
Labor freedom 55.9 62.7
Monetary freedom 78.2 76.1
Trade freedom 75 69.8
Investment freedom 50 50
Financial freedom 40 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Costa Rica
Namibia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Costa Rica Namibia
2026 69.1 60.2
2025 68.6 58.7
2024 67.7 57.5
2023 66.5 57.7
2022 65.4 59.2
2021 64.2 62.6
2020 65.8 60.9
2019 65.3 58.7
2018 65.6 58.5
2017 65 62.5
2016 67.4 61.9
2015 67.2 59.6
2014 66.9 59.4
2013 67 60.3
2012 68 61.9
2011 67.3 62.7
2010 65.9 62.2
2009 66.4 62.4
2008 64.2 61.4
2007 64 63.5
2006 65.9 60.7
2005 66.1 61.4
2004 66.4 62.4
2003 67 67.3
2002 67.5 65.1
2001 67.6 64.8
2000 68.4 66.7
1999 67.4 66.1
1998 65.6 66.1
1997 65.6 61.6
1996 66.4 -
1995 68 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

GeoRank.org/economy/costa-rica/namibia | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Costa Rica is 69.1, ranking 43/197, compared to 60.2 for Namibia, ranking 95/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Costa Rica Namibia
Services, % of GDP
68.8%
2024
54.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
19.7%
2024
28.9%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
3.56%
2024
7.29%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$80.2B
2024
$12.8B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$28,840
2024
$11,300
2024
Total reserves including gold
$14.2B
2024
$3.36B
2024
Total reserves ranking
70/177
2024
115/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$4.96B
2024
-$1.93M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$5.3B
2024
$1.97B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$337M
2024
$44.5M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
6.31%
2023
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
20.3%
2024
17.4%
2015
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
15.7%
2024
25.6%
2024

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/costa-rica/namibia | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1956–1995, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)

Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) — you’re free to copy, share, remix, adapt, and use even commercially as long as you give appropriate credit and clearly indicate if you made changes. Other sources may be subject to different license terms.

The current account balance is the sum of net trade in goods and services, net earnings from cross-border investments, and net transfer payments. It reflects a country's economic transactions with the rest of the world and is a fundamental component of the balance of payments. A surplus indicates that a country exports more than it imports, while a deficit shows the opposite.

Gross National Income (GNI) measures a country's total income. It encompasses income earned by residents, businesses, and foreign sources, defined as employee compensation and investment profits. GNI adds product taxes not included elsewhere and subtracts subsidies. It accounts for income from residents working abroad but excludes earnings from foreigners within the country.

A negative value for Net Foreign Direct Investment indicates a country is a net receiver of investments, as foreign inflows exceed outflows after Balance of Payments adjustments. A positive value indicates a net provider, with outflows exceeding inflows. Inflows are credits (increasing foreign claims on domestic assets), while outflows are debits (increasing domestic assets abroad).

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net inflows) shows how much capital foreign investors bring into a country after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of overseas companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in the reporting country. A positive number means more capital entered the country than was withdrawn, while a negative number means foreign investors pulled out more than they invested.

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net outflows) shows how much capital residents of a country invest abroad after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of domestic companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in other countries. A positive number means more capital was invested abroad than withdrawn, while a negative number means residents pulled back more than they invested.

Principal and interest payments to the IMF in currency, goods, or services on long-term debt expressed as a share of GNI.

Formerly gross domestic investment, gross capital formation measures the share of a country’s economic output invested in fixed assets, including buildings, machinery, and infrastructure. It indicates how much of the economy is devoted to building productive capacity.